Tuesday’s Aston Villa Transfer Talk

A report in the Daily Mail says that both Villa and Tottenham have been asked to be kept in the loop over Wigan winger Antonio Valencia. Wigan have apparently worked out a deal with Real Madrid for the 23-year-old worth £21.5million with Steve Bruce telling Sir Alex Ferguson that he’d have to match that price if, as reported, Manchester United want Valencia as a replacement for the goofy one, Christiano Ronaldo.

So basically we might have been asked to be kept in the loop but if Real Madrid and Manchester United want him, one or other will get him.

The same report also says that Spurs, Villa and Fulham are watching after Wigan and Austria midfielder Paul Scharner said he wants to leave the JJB for the sake of his international career. The 29-year-old said on Austrian TV ‘I feel this summer is the time for me to make the next step in my career. I’m looking towards getting a regular starting place in the Austria national side. My absolute aim would be to play in the Champions League.’

Striker Amr Zaki, who joined Wigan with a bang only to fade away goal wise won’t be going to Wigan on a permanent basis and the Daily Mail say that four other Premiership clubs have made bids for him with better terms. Hmmmm?

I’m feeding off scraps today really but also in the Daily Mail is a report saying Stewart Downing, Tuncay, Afonso Alves and Robert Huth will leave Middlesbrough in the summer unless a miracle on the last day of the season prevents them from being relegated. Villa were reportedly interested in Huth before he went from Chelsea to Boro. Downing has been linked with Villa, Spurs and Liverpool recently.

Now this one would excite me! Apparently both Arsenal and Villa are watching over the Stephen Ireland situation at Manchester City. With all their big money power it appears to me that the youngster was still their best player this season and yet reports today say that contract talks have stalled. If City decide not to improve their offer it is rumoured both Arsenal and Villa will try their hand at luring the player away. Ireland told the Daily Mirror: ‘We’re nowhere with the contract, to be honest, we’re still a long way off. Talks have barely started. I don’t know what’s going to happen and if I’m going to sign or not sign. It’s out of my hands right now, it’s up to the club, not me. It’s getting to the stage now where I don’t know if I’m going to be signing or not. I think I’ve done enough this year, let my football do the talking. The club haven’t really made an offer yet. If they make one great – if not, I’ve got two years left.’